Impbovement in hitchlm-posts



@uiten tates atmt @ffitrp attached toit, such weight also serving as a stop to detain one end ofthe chain within the post, and prevent its` y sesses the requisite flexibility and strength.

Y the chain. Openings may he made in the post-near the surface of the ground to allow the escape of any water lDANIEL C. ROBIE, 0F SPRINGFIELD, MASSACHUSETTS, ASSIGNOlt'lO HIM;

SELF ANI) MOSES GOLDTHWAI'IBL 0F `THE SAME PLACE.

Letters .Patent No. 69,027, dated S'eptemlwr17, 186i.

IMPROVEMENT IN HITGHINfl-PSTS,

TO ALL WI-IOM T MAY CONCERN: y

` Be it known that I, DANIEL C. Ronin, of Springfield, in the couutyof Hampden, and Commonwealth of .l-Iassaehusetts, have invented a new and useful Improvement in I'Iitchingosts, or posts used for securing thereto horses andother animals; and I do hereby declare that the following is a full, clear,rand exact descrip-p, tiouot the construction and operation of the same, reference being had to the annexed drawings, making apart of this specification, and to the letters and figures of' reference marked thereon,-siinilar letters referring `to like parts in all the drawings, whereofl l Figure 1 is an elevation of said hitehing-post.

Figure 2 is a horizontal section through the line B C, iig. `1, and Figure 3 is a vertical section through ,line D E, iig. l. Y The nature of my invention consists 4in constructing a bitching-post hollow or perforated as to a portion or, the-whole of its length, and combining with such post a fastening, or` hitching-ehain and weight, in such a manner that the chain, when needed for use, can be readily drawn out through an aperture at or near the top of the hollow post, and when no longer needed, will be retracted within the post by the action of the weight being entirely withdrawn. My invention also contemplates theuse of any substitute for the` chain which pos- The construction of my invention is as follows: The general external form and appearance ofthe post A F is similar to that et' an ordinary hitehing-post, consisting of a base, A, to be set in the earth, and a part, F, rising to `a suitable height above t-he surface of the ground or pavement. This post I construct of metal, wood, or stone, of any desired'iforni and height. The base A and standard or part F above the surfaeeof the ground may be constructed in one piece, or the standard may be made separate and fastened to a hase of.tl1e sameor of different material, as in the ease of the application of an iron standard to a base vof wood. The standardfl` jnay also he constructed with a ilange o r foot at the lower end for fastening it to a eurb'stone or parement. An annular space, n, within the post extends from the bottom to the shouldert, and is continued in `a right line (but of smaller diameter) to lc, and thence ata right angle through the side of the post to c. I have also `made the opening at the top ofthe pest instead'of in the side at c, but prefer the latter position, as `rain und snow are less liable to enter the hollow space at e than through an opening at the top. Posts made of cast iron can ofcourse be cast hollow, and by the use of proper cores the entire annular space ac e can be formed without` 'diieulty In posts made of other materials, the hollow space can be formed or wrought out in any convenientl` manner.' It is immaterial whether the annular or hollow space extends from e entirely' through the bottom` of the post, as shown, or only to a point sutiiciently below e to allow the weightto descend far enough to draw `in which may have collected within the hollow space. The hitching-ehaiufhas, at its` upper end, a common snaphoolc, and is attached at its lower end to a vsmall weight, d, which answers the double purpose of `a `weight `to draw in the chain and of' a stopto prevent the lower end et' the chain from being drawn out beyond the shoulder" b. The snap-liook itself, er a ring between the links of the chain and the hoek, or a iid or crossfbarpwill serve as a stop to prevent the upper ond of the chain from being drawn into the aperture at c,'andout'otlreaclL` The weight d may be oi' any form and material, and should he of sulcieut weight to drawtho chain `withinthe post,` and should be no heavier than is necessary for that purpose. The length of chain to be used willvary with the height of the pest used, but should he ofsuiieient length to he used without ineon\'eniencc ,to thel animals fastened thereby. i

The oper-ation of my invention is briefly as follows: The hitehing-post, with the chain and weightprloperly` arranged, having been set inthe earth, or bolted to the curbstone or pavement, is ready for use. By grasping the snap-hook, ring, or other deviceat the outer end of the'ehain, the latter can be readily drawn out through `the aperture at c as far as thefweight or stop d will-allow, and can then be used in the same way as any bitching-g cord er chain attached :o a post would be used. By actual trial it is shown that the slight draught upon the hein, which is caused by the weight, is not a. conse of any alarm or inconvenience to the afnirnnl fastened by he chain. When relensed,.the chain is withdrmvnwvithin the post, leaving only the snap-hook, ring, or fidproacting, and is thus kept dry and free from rust and dirt.

I am aware that e post or shell, sunk underneath o. sideivalk or pavement, having an extension shaft or er to be drown from or inserted in seid post or shell at will," has been described in the Letters APatent granted o Valentine Word on the til'tlrda-y of June, A. D. 1866, which device differs from my invention both in contruction and operation, as the'top of the post or shell in seid Words invention is set level with the surface of he sidewalk or pavement, end forms, with the extension ber or shaft, a. jointed or 'extension post, withontieny hein attached thereto, while my invention relates to n permanent post rising te n suitable height above` the' ground, and to the application of o weighted chain thereto, and the manner of such application. I do not herefore claim n hollow post, considered apart from the bitching-chain and weight or stop described. i

I do not confn'e myself` to' any perticglar form of hollow post, or to en annular or eylindrieal space within he post, it being only necessary. that the shape ofthe hollow space shouldbc such that the weight or stop will reve within the post without obstruction. I om aware that a. hollow pestis not new, I therefore do notelzfim he same; 'hut what I claim as my invention, end desire to'secure by Letters Patent, is-

The bitching-post, constructed of o closed top and :in opening, e, on its side, communicating with the nnnlarvspace a, for the purpose and in the manner substantially as described.

Witness my lia-nd this 30th doy of April, A. D. 1867.

DANIEL C. ROBIE. Witnesses:

O. L. CowLns, G. W. PEABODY. 

